If you want to make a living by making a difference, join Acenda as an

Job Title: Emergency Screener

About Acenda Integrated Health

Acenda Integrated Health provides 100+ behavioral health programs, including mental health services, crisis care, substance use recovery, family therapy, maternal and pediatric support, and residential programs across New Jersey. Our team enjoys competitive benefits, work-life balance, professional development, and team engaging events. Acenda is recognized as a multi-year Top Workplace by USA Today and The Inquirer and a Top Workplace Culture award winner for Work-Life Balance as well as Joint Commission accredited and certified by MHCA and the New Jersey Alliance for Children, Youth, and Families. Join #TeamAcenda and make a lasting impact.

Job Overview

As an Emergency Screener, I conduct comprehensive mental health evaluations to determine the need for voluntary or involuntary hospitalization and immediate crisis intervention. I work as part of a multidisciplinary team to assess, stabilize, and refer clients to appropriate inpatient or community-based services. Additionally, I collaborate with staff to ensure effective communication, problem-solving, and timely coordination of care in high-pressure environments.

Program Info

Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week crisis intervention service that offers face-to-face crisis and emergency intervention to individuals who are suicidal, homicidal, or acutely psychotic. PES is not able to assist with prescription renewals, evictions, or non-crisis calls.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Conducts mental health evaluations and assessments to determine the need for hospitalization, either voluntary or involuntary. 

• Evaluate/stabilize clients as part of a multidisciplinary team 

• Assess need for psychiatric inpatient hospitalization and crisis/emergency care/treatment.  

• Refers to appropriate services both inside and outside of Behavioral Health Unit/ER. 

• Works collaboratively with all staff to effectively communicate and problem solve. 

• Must be able to analyze work, set goals, develop plans and utilize time effectively and efficiently. 

Requirements: 

• Bachelor's degree in the mental-health-related field from an accredited institution, plus three years post-bachelors, full-time equivalent, professional experience in the mental health field, one of which is in a crisis setting 

• NJ Screener Certification required or ability to qualify for screener certification 

• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license, use of an insured vehicle and an acceptable driving record 

Preferred: 

• Master's degree in the mental-health-related field from an accredited institution, plus one year of postmaster's, full-time equivalent, professional experience in a psychiatric setting; 

Additional Information: 

• Starting Compensation: $25.62 per hour 
• Additional $5,000/ annually for the overnight shift

• Sign on bonus: $1000 

• Ability to earn yearly bonuses 

• Bilingual-Spanish differential: $1.50/hourly 

• Now hiring for evening and overnight shifts. 

What we provide:

• An Innovative culture that encourages you to grow and learn with the agency
• Mission-driven core
• 401(k) with 100% employer match on the first 5% of comp

Acenda Integrated Health is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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